CBS/NYT poll: Obama 48, Romney 47 (Updated)

By MAGGIE HABERMAN

10/30/2012 07:14 PM EDT

Another poll showing a very tight race nationally, and another poll that gives each side something to feel hopeful about:

The president is holding his coalition together with strong support from women and minority voters and is supported by 48 percent of likely voters nationwide, the poll found, while Mr. Romney holds a wide advantage among independents and men and is the choice of 47 percent...

...The economy continues to be the overwhelming issue on the minds of voters, with about three-quarters selecting the economy as either their first or second most important concern. Another 23 percent named the budget deficit as one of their top two issues. Most voters consider Mr. Romney the better candidate to deal with both of those challenges.

The president has a slight edge on terrorism and foreign policy, but the poll found that Mr. Romney may have made some inroads with his strong critique of how Mr. Obama managed the Libya crisis after the killing of the American ambassador and three others in Benghazi. When asked specifically about the administration’s handling of the attacks on the consulate in Libya, the poll found that only 38 percent of voters approved and 51 percent disapproved.

A week before the election, even as millions of Americans have already cast their ballots through early-voting programs in many states, voters are closely divided between the candidates, with men and women practically mirror images of each other. The poll found that Mr. Obama is supported by 52 percent of women and 44 percent of men, while Mr. Romney is preferred by 51 percent of men and 44 percent of women.

As the Times notes, the poll is a reminder of why Republicans and the Romney campaign are making a late effort to expand the map in places where the Republican hopeful remains less defined, and where polls have tightened.

UPDATE: And/but, from the poll:

The poll was conducted in the days before Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. The telephone interviews were conducted Thursday through Sunday, although they were originally intended to continue through Tuesday evening.

Romney's aides have felt good about the numbers in several polls showing him leading with independents. Obama's aides have been heartened by the support among Hispanics and younger voters.